102 
THE VETERINARY SCIENCE 
4. The Examination. 
A. thorough acquaintance with the history of the case 
obtain in a similar manner to that outline will be sufficient 
to direct you to the proper organs requiring careful examin- 
ation. 
Try the pulse. It is conveniently and generally taken 
upon the small artery crossing on the under side of the jaw 
about the middle. Your own pulse may be felt at about the 
same position on your own jaw. When in good health the 
pulse of a horse ranges from 38 to 40 beats per minute, or 
in other words, the heart beats at this rate. The serious 
nature of the disease in a general sense is determined by the 
degree in which the pulse varies from this what may be 
termed standard rate. It may be faster or slower, regular or 
irregular. The case is very serious should the pulse run as 
high as 100 or be irregular. An irregular pulse may beat 
fast for two, three or four beats, then slow, etc. 
The Temperature is another very important matter for 
consideration. This is obtained with a fever thermometer 
which may be had from any reliable dealer in medical in- 
struments. After seeing that the mercury is not in sections 
or out of place in the tube (this sometimes happens while 
carrying the thermometer in the pocket or in a case. See, too, 
that the mercury is down to 99° or lower) place it in the 
anus and allow it to remain for five minutes. Should the 
temperature be 102** to 104° the case would be considered 
ordinary, but should it run from 105° to 107° the case would 
be considcref^ quite '=^*-*ous. 
